Leprosy

He knew it was his last chance. Covered in leprosy, he could hardly walk. Open sores covered his skin. People ran from him as he approached. Most of his life he’d had to walk, ringing a bell and shouting the word ‘unclean’. It was a declaration of sickness, of being a second class citizen. Of being an outcast, unloved, uncared for.

The disease had been with him for many years. He had left his family, unable to see them for fear of infecting them too. Alone. Desperate. Near death.

And this was it. Ignoring all the rules, he crawled the final yards towards him as best he could. Falling on his face, unable to support his weight, he cried out ‘Lord, if you want to, you could heal me’. A cry of faith. A cry of desperation. And then the words spoken back. ‘I am willing. Be clean.’

At that moment, all the years rolled away. All the fear, hate, poverty, sickness. Gone in an instant. Instead of sores, fresh baby-like skin. A miracle. He could go back. He could return home. He could live again.

That was then. 2000 years ago. This is now: There are over 266,000 new cases of leprosy diagnosed each year. It’s still here.

Last Saturday I attended my first board meeting as a trustee director of the Leprosy Mission, England and Wales. As much as I am able, I will stretch out the hand of Christ and say the words ‘be clean’.

(You can read the story of the leper in the gospel of Luke, chapter 5.)

His name is Peter, his name is John

His name is Peter.

We met him last night on the street. Selling the Big Issue. He was clean enough, well mannered. Looked like he needed a good place to sleep though.

He took the coins and Tony asked if he could pray with him. (Tony’s like that: Bold as brass). Peter asked if we could pray that he gets over the death of his dad, the Christmas just gone. Here he is. On his own. But still missing his family. Still loving his family.

His name is John.

He earns £160,000 a week. Seems to have a problem with the occasional girl. And I’m not sure about the drink driving. But he’s a good footballer. And like Peter, I guess he loves his family.

In between –economically speaking- there’s you and me.

But it’s not about money. It’s about family. Being loved. Knowing love.

There’s one who showed it. At Easter.

His name is Jesus.

Your Call.....

This is the transcript of the actual radio conversation of a U.S. naval ship with the Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland October 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations, 10-10-95.

Canadians:
Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Americans:
Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North.

Canadians:
Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Americans:
This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians:
No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans:
This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln. The second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees north, I say again, that's one five degrees north, or counter measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians:
We are a lighthouse, your call.